Container management system

Abstract

A container transport can move containers around a warehouse environment. The container transport can include a support that can connect the container transport with a robotic manipulator. The support can rotate the container transport between a storage position and a carrying position. In the carrying position the container can receive a container in a container receiving area. A manipulator can move the container into and/or out of container receiving area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A container management system, comprising:
 a robotic manipulator having an engagement area at a distal end; and 
 a container transport coupled with the engagement area of the robotic manipulator, the container transport rotatable relative to the robotic manipulator between first and second manipulation positions, the container transport comprising:
 sidewalls defining a container receiving area; 
 rollers positioned within the container receiving area and configured to support a container positioned in the container receiving area, the container configured to receive one or more inventory items; and 
 a container manipulator configured to move the containers into and out of the container receiving area and retain the containers in the container receiving area. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The container management system of  claim 1 , wherein the container transport further comprises a first sensor configured to detect data associated with the container when the container is positioned in the container receiving area. 
     
     
       3. The container management system of  claim 2 , wherein the container transport further comprises a second sensor configured to detect a portion of items extending outside of the container. 
     
     
       4. The container management system of  claim 3 , wherein the container transport further comprises a third sensor configured to, when the container is positioned outside of the container receiving area, detect a distance between the container and the container receiving area. 
     
     
       5. The container management system of  claim 4 , wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, or the third sensor comprises one or more of an optical sensor, a light curtain, or an infrared sensor. 
     
     
       6. The container management system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second manipulation positions are separated by 180 degrees. 
     
     
       7. A container transport, comprising:
 sidewalls defining a container receiving area, the container receiving area configured to receive a container comprising one or more inventory items; 
 a support coupleable with a robotic manipulator and attached with and supporting the sidewalls, the support configured to rotate the container receiving area between first and second manipulation positions when a container is positioned in the container receiving area; and 
 a container manipulator attached with and supported by the support, the container manipulator configured to engage with the container and move the container into and out of the container receiving area, the container manipulator engaged with the container during rotation of the container receiving area. 
 
     
     
       8. The container transport of  claim 7 , further comprising a container retention device configured to retain the container in the container receiving area during movement of the container transport. 
     
     
       9. The container transport of  claim 7 , wherein the container manipulator comprises an end effector configured to engage with the container. 
     
     
       10. The container transport of  claim 7 , further comprising rollers configured to support the container when the container is positioned in the container receiving area. 
     
     
       11. The container transport of  claim 7 , further comprising a light curtain positioned to detect a portion of the one or more inventory items extending outside of the container. 
     
     
       12. The container transport of  claim 7 , further comprising an optical sensor configured to detect a distance between the container and the container manipulator when the container is positioned in a container loading location. 
     
     
       13. The container transport of  claim 7 , further comprising an optical sensor configured to detect data associated with the container when the container is positioned in the container receiving area. 
     
     
       14. The container transport of  claim 7 , wherein the container manipulator is configured to extend beyond the container receiving area to engage with the container. 
     
     
       15. A container management system, comprising:
 a robotic manipulator; 
 a container transport coupled with the robotic manipulator, the container transport comprising:
 a container receiving area; and 
 a container manipulator configured to move containers into and out of the container receiving area; and 
 
 a module operable to:
 operate the robotic manipulator to position the container transport adjacent to a container loading location; 
 operate the container manipulator to engage with a container and move the container from the container loading location and into the container receiving area; 
 with the container manipulator engaged with the container, operate the robotic manipulator to position the container transport adjacent to a container unloading location; and 
 with the container manipulator engaged with the container, operate the container manipulator to move the container to the container unloading location. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The container management system of  claim 15 , wherein operating the robotic manipulator to position the container transport adjacent to the container unloading location comprises rotating the container transport. 
     
     
       17. The container management system of  claim 15 , wherein operating the container manipulator to engage with the container and move the container from the container loading location comprises operating the container manipulator to extend outside of the container receiving area, engage with the container outside of the container receiving area, and move the container into the container receiving area. 
     
     
       18. The container management system of  claim 15 , wherein operating the container manipulator to engage with the container and move the container to the container unloading location comprises operating the container manipulator to engage with the container in the container receiving area and move the container out of the container receiving area. 
     
     
       19. The container management system of  claim 15 , wherein the module is further operable to detect a distance to the container in the container loading location. 
     
     
       20. The container management system of  claim 15 , wherein the container loading location comprises a container holder and the container unloading location comprises a conveyor.